Alaskan Klee Kai - Origin, Personality, Physical Traits, and Facts

Alaskan Klee Kai Origin

Alaskan Klee kai is a relatively new breed that means “small dogs” in the Eskimos dialect. This dog breed has Ancient roots and is believed to be the descendants of several native dogs that populated Alaska for thousands of years.

For Alaska’s harsh weather, these dogs were not only family dogs but also became important for many tribal groups. These dogs were professionals in pulling sleds, hunting, tracking, hiking and were good at providing early warnings from wild animals and other enemies.

If you observer deeply, Alaskan Klee Kai were originated in the 1970s. A breeder named Linda Spurlin, along with her family, developed this breed from huskies in the 1980s after so many attempts to get a high standard, mentally stable, and physically strong dog breed.

The Alaskan Klee Kai became publicly available in 1988. Initially, these dogs were called Klee Kai by the Spurlin’s, but later on, they were renamed as Alaskan Klee Kai in 1995, and the breed officially got recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1997.

Alaskan Klee Kai Temperament and Personality

Unlike many dog breeds, Alaskan Klee Kai is highly intelligent, active, energetic, and affectionate towards their families. They are not very friendly and social towards strangers and require lifelong training to be comfortable around new people.

Alaskan Klee Kai makes amazing watchdogs as they are extremely skeptical and attentive about strangers.

Being the smartest breed, Alaskans efficiently pick and learn commands. It is in their nature to please and obey their masters. In addition to this, these dogs are highly food motivated and they love taking on agility training, which helps them burn their energy throughout the day.

After a healthy play session or a long walk, Alaskan Klee Kais can spend the rest of their day lying on a couch. But if you neglect their exercise needs, these hyper beings can get bored and destructive.

Moreover, when taking Alaskans to the walk, be careful as their prey drive is super high, which causes them to bolt if they see wild animals.

When getting an Alaskan Klee Kai, it is important to keep in mind that it requires attention from its family. In addition to this, if proper attention is not provided, these dogs can get very vocal. Although these sensitive creatures are not extremely mouthy like their Husky cousins, they will still bark and whine to express their discomfort.

Physical Attributes

Alaskan Klee Kais majorly comes in three sizes. They can be as small as a toy, ranging up to a miniature and standard size. However, there are not many differences in the sizes.

The smallest size, toy Alaskan Klee Kais, is about 13 inches tall. Miniatures, on the other hand, range from 13 inches to 15 inches. The tallest or the standard size in the Kais is about 15 to 17 inches. They weigh between 5 to 22 pounds, depending on the size.

Alaskan Klee Kai is known for its distinctive “facial mask”. Their dark and light fur resembles that of an Alaskan Husky. Its head is wedge-shaped, non-wrinkled, and is proportionate to the size of the body.

Their eyes are medium-sized, oval in shape, and are commonly brown in color. The ears of an Alaskan Klee Kai are small and triangular in shape. Their chest is broad, and their shoulders moderately laid back.

Coat and Color

As recognized by the breed standards, there are three major coat colors of Alaskan Klee Kai. These include black and white, red and white, or gray and white. In addition to this, solid white Alaskan Klees are also seen.

This dog breed has a standard or full coat of fur on the body, including the face and tail. However, both are double coats with a short undercoat and a longer outer coat. These coats help dogs survive extreme weather.

Alaskan Klee Kai Care

When it comes to taking care of Alaskan Klee Kai, it is essential and every owner’s responsibility to provide basic needs. This includes maintaining a proper and nutritious diet, health, and grooming.

Diet and Nutrition

Alaskan Klee Kai is a highly active and energetic dog breed, due to which it requires a nutritious diet. To meet the energy level of the dog, a protein-rich diet should be given. Select the best quality dog food, either commercially manufactured, organic dog food or prepared at home.

If preparing your dog’s food at home, make sure that you are following the vet’s advice. Get your Alaskan Klee Kai analyzed by the veterinarian before you get a diet plan. In addition to this, keep a clean, fresh bowl of water always beside your dog’s food to keep them hydrated.

Health

Alaskan Klee Kai is generally a very healthy dog breed that has minimal genetic issues as compared to other dogs. However, Alaskans are prone to some medical conditions such as luxating patella, factor VII deficiency, heart and liver diseases, thyroid disease, and cataracts.

Moreover, they tend to keep their baby teeth, and when the adult teeth grow, they create problems until extracted out.

To keep them active, regular exercise is needed, but no fancy pieces of equipment are required. A simple fence will be enough for your Alaskan Klee Kai to play and burn high energy.

Grooming

Unlike other dogs, Alaskan Klee Kais generally groom themselves. Due to this, owners do not need to provide them regular baths. Seasonal bathing will be enough to keep these breeds clean, tidy, and odor-free.

To talk about shedding, Alaskan Klee Kais shed their hair in seasons to adapt to the change in weather. In those seasons, they require regular brushing to get rid of broken hair and knots. Alaskans do not shed extremely throughout the year, but in the season, the shedding is profuse.

It is preferable that you make your dog habitual of brushing its teeth to maintain oral health. Proper brushing will prevent bacterias and infections.

Facts About Alaskan Klee Kai

Alaskan Klee Kai is a rare breed of dogs, and there is a lot to know about them. If you are into pets and eager to learn about different dogs or to look for a healthy breed, the following facts will be helpful.

The collection of interesting facts about the Alaskan Klee Kai breed below will allow you to look at these dogs differently.

• They Can be Great Emotional Support Animals - Alaskan Klee Kai is known for their loving nature towards their owners. Their warm hearts make them the best emotional support animals.

  If you are suffering from a mental condition and looking for emotional support, Alaskan Klee Kais can efficiently provide you that. You only need an ESA letter from an expert that determines your mental problem and your need for this animal.

• They Get Separation Anxiety - Alaskan Klee Kais easily get attached to their families. They require your attention and care. When they do not get the required attention or left alone at home, they get separation anxiety. These dogs then howl, bark, and whine in distress.
• They are Expensive - Alaskan Klee Kai is a rare and expensive breed. They can cost you between $1800 to $3000, depending on the breeder you are getting it from. Alaskan Klee Kai Association of American can help you look for reputable breeders if you want a healthy puppy.

• Alaskan Klee Kai Vs. Siberian Husky - People often confuse Alaskan Klee Kai with Siberian Huskies. They are two different breeds with many contradicting traits. To compare, Siberian Huskies are large-sized dogs that weigh between 30 to 60 pounds.

  Moreover, Siberian Huskies can have bi-eyes as well as parti-eyes, whereas Alaskan Klee KAi can only have blue, brown, and green eyes. Unlike Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Klee Kais are companion dogs.

Alaskan Klee Kais are the best dogs if you are looking for an intelligent and affectionate company. They will entertain you and protect you at the same time. Moreover, their beautiful looks will lighten up the mood that can be great to calm you down.

Search for reputable and reliable breeders, adoption homes, and rescue centers to get a healthy Alaskan Klee Kai. Ensure that the breed is healthy and suffers from no pre-existing medical health condition.